Dallas voters will get the chance in May to approve $1.25 billion in bond money to fix streets, develop new parks, and update libraries and cultural facilities.

Why it matters: Dallas' municipal bond programs have been transformational for over a century — providing funding for projects ranging from building a water filtration plant at White Rock Lake in the 1920s to building City Hall.

Driving the news: Yesterday, the City Council approved sending the bond package to voters in May after several delays in the process.

• This week was the deadline to set a May election. Otherwise, the council could've put the bond propositions on the ballot in November.
• Council member Adam Bazaldua cast the only vote against setting the May election.

Yes, but: Voter turnout in May elections is notoriously low. In last year's mayoral and council election, less than 9% of Dallas County voters cast a ballot.

• About 66% of registered voters in Dallas County turned out for the 2020 presidential election.

Of note: City officials have said they wouldn't need to increase Dallas' tax rate to repay the bond debt.

Details: Voters would need to approve multiple propositions for the full $1.25 in bond money to be dispersed. Here are the first five bond proposals:

🚦 Proposition A — $516.5 million for building and reconstructing streets, building sidewalks, bikeways, street lighting and other transportation projects.

• The estimated cost of repayment for the 20-year bonds is nearly $720 million.

🌳 Proposition B — $343.5 million for parks and recreation.

• $479 million is the estimated repayment cost.

💧 Proposition C — $52.1 million for expanding flood protection and drainage facilities.

• $72.6 million is the estimated repayment cost.

📚 Proposition D — $43.5 million for renovating city libraries and building a new Bishop Arts Library.

• $60.7 million is the estimated repayment cost.

🎭 Proposition E — $75.2 million for updating cultural and performing arts facilities, including the Meyerson Symphony Center and the Dallas Museum of Art.

• $104.8 million is the estimated repayment cost.

What's next: City staff will provide a more detailed breakdown of how the money in each proposition will be spent by the end of the month.

The rest of the bond proposals

D Magazine editor Tim Rogers was subpoenaed to testify this week in Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson's divorce trial.

• The subpoena was related to an April 2023 blog post Rogers wrote commenting on Johnson's leather jacket, noting the mayor was giving off a "hey-ladies-this-divorced-dad-is-back-on-the-market vibe."

Why it matters: Rogers made it clear at the time that he was joking. It wasn't public then, but Johnson — who has three children — was actually getting divorced and had apparently accused his wife of communicating with the press.

What happened: An attorney representing Nakita Johnson, the mayor's soon-to-be-ex, contacted Rogers and eventually had him subpoenaed to testify.

• Rogers was sworn in and spent the day in the hall outside the courtroom, but was never called to the stand.
• Yes, but: D's online editorial director, Matt Goodman, remained in the courtroom to cover the trial.

Flashback: Fresh off a successful re-election, Johnson announced in September that he was switching parties, from Democrat to Republican.

The intrigue: Upon learning that two people from D Magazine were in the courtroom, Johnson's attorney asked the judge to close the court.

• The request was denied. Texas law says "all courts shall be open" to the public.

Go deeper: Read Goodman's account of what happened in court, including allegations of infidelity.

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📖 Honor Black history. Dallas, Frisco and Fort Worth are among the North Texas cities promoting events tied to Black History Month, which is celebrated every February.

• Visit the African American Museum in Dallas, home to one of the largest African American Folk Art collections in the country.

🪴 Tend to your roots. The third annual Fort Worth Home & Garden Show will hold seminars with master gardeners, plants for sale and home improvement tips.

• Friday–Sunday at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Entry is free.

👟 Rock your kicks. Sneakerheads will unite in Dallas this weekend for a trade show with shoe trades and sales.

• 1–6pm Sunday. Tickets start at $25.

🚂 Go cuckoo for choo choos. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad, which runs from downtown Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards, resumes service this weekend.

• Saturday, from Grapevine's Main Street. Fares start at $18.

❌ Arlington's Parkway Central Park was closed Wednesday after two children were reportedly bit by the same coyote. (WFAA)

🚨 The Arlington City Council approved a $1.9 million settlement to the family of a 23-year-old man fatally shot by a police officer in 2017. (DMN)

🦍 The Fort Worth Zoo announced the birth of a gorilla through an emergency C-section, with help from medical professionals. (FOX4)

💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Website Personalization Manager at Apple Leisure Group.
2. Environmental Multi-Media Compliance Manager at GHD.
3. Dir, Integrated Communications at University of North Texas.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

Do you have a few million dollars and an abiding desire to own exotic animals that shouldn't live in Texas?

• Well, we've got quite the deal for you.

Driving the news: The Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru safari in Eustace — about an hour southeast of Dallas — is up for sale.

The listing price: $4.5 million. That includes roughly 200 acres and, presumably, around 400 animals — 25 different species from all over the world, according to Rocky Ridge's website.

• The menagerie includes zebras, camels, bison, gazelles, llamas, emus, deer and, of course, urial sheep — almost none of which are native to Texas.

Details: The real estate listing also mentions that the business takes in $600,000 in annual revenue.

Reality check: It doesn't say how much it costs to feed and care for all those animals.

The bottom line: If you buy this and invite us, we'll bring our own protein pellets. (Tasha keeps extra.)